ABCs of green building

Since the beginning of 2013, the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council has followed more than 90 bills across 30 states that seek to advance healthy, high-performing schools. This number is up even from last year, and continues to validate what our movement has long understood – there’s a lot of common ground around the potential that healthy, high-performing schools provide (see our related advocacy campaign).

USGBC’s state activity report for 2012 counted almost 90 new laws that advance green building (see blog and report). At least 28 of last year’s policy advancements stand to benefit students, teachers and communities through measures that promote green schools (see 2012 mid-session summary on schools), and already a few of the 2013 bills have been signed into law. Here are a few highlights:

Kentucky Rep. Rita Smart introduced a resolution to promote the benefits of green schools across the state, and to pledge support for a goal of building or renovating at least one green school in each of the Commonwealth’s 120 counties by 2030. Thanks in part to enthusiastic support from USGBC-Kentucky, Rep. Smart’s HR 0069 was adopted by voice vote on March 4, 2013.Georgia Rep. Karla Drenner introduced a resolution with her colleagues Reps. Henson and Kaiser to encourage statewide participation in the Green Apple Day of Service. HR 0704 was adopted on the same day it was introduced – March 12, 2013.The Baltimore City Delegation to the Maryland General Assembly co-sponsored companion House and Senate bills that would allocate approximately $1 billion in investment in new and modernized school buildings. Leadership commitments by the city and state to build green schools means that these funds will further expand access to healthy, efficient and productive learning environments. Both HB 860 and SB 743 have passed their chambers of origin and the House bill has passed both chambers, has been concurred and enrolled. The measure awaits action by the Governor.

As we release this 2013 mid-session summary of green schools activity, we’re optimistic that these seeds of change can yield some important outcomes by year’s end.

[source: http://www.sustainableindustries.com/articles/2013/05/abcs-green]